Who was the greatest hockey player of all time. Not the greatest goal scorer.?

Question

Everyones first answer is going to be #99 but i suggest you consider that bobby orr was a defence man who scored goals and made massive deffensive plays. The Rocket scored goals, made deffensive plays , fought for his team, and was a staunch deffender of the game he loved. I wont argue, #99 was the greatest offensive player of all time, no one scored like him or set up goals like him, but there are a handful of other players that were well rounded both offensively and deffensively ...they played the entire game..not just the offensive part of it. Wayne...i dont think we will ever see a better goal scorer........Maurice....you were and are the greatest... you are missed and admired by millions who love the entire game of hockey...it wouldnt be what it is now without what you did for it.....Bobby..dang it sucks that you had to leave before your time...along with a hand full of other greats in the 60s and seventies......Thank you one and all for the sport i love..

Answer 1

my first guy would have to go to Maurice "The Rocket" Richard over any other player in league history, he was what clutch player was made of he did it all. give me the puck and we will win. one of the greatest individual game of all time "The Rocket" 5 Leafs 1, he was also name 1star, 2 star, 3 star in one single game nobody has ever did that again. first 50 goals scorer, first 500 goals scoring playing in a league of the Original Six, and playing in the era of 40 to 50 games throughout his career. Gretzky played 30 to 40 more games a season. if my team was down today the only player that i would want on my team to win the game for us is Maurice "The Rocket" Richard he would come out of his grave to score one more winning goal.

Maurice "The Rocket" Richard, a true Legend of this beautiful game hockey.




GO HABS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Answer 2

Haven't seen this name yet . . . Howie Morenz. The Stratford Streak was a hardnosed two-way player who had all the tools and played in a day when the equipmemt didn't provide you much protection.
And how about Joe Malone . . . he played when you played the whole game and was absolutely dominant.
The point is hockey has had different eras and in those eras different players stood out.
Bobby Orr - loved him and hated him (not a Bruins fan).
Maurice Richard - when he played he was a hockey god.
Gordie Howe - an all around competitor
Wayne Gretzky - since scoring goals wins games and winning is what it's about, who cares if he didn't defend - the best defence is an offense - the other team can't score until they get the puck from Gretz.
All of them made the game great - all of them deserve some credit and most of all our thanks. Thanks for being great players of hockey and great Canadians.

Answer 3

Accually, my first though was Number 9- the guy Gretzky admired ans patterned his number off of before he came to a team and found it taken, wearing 99 as an honor to this guy.

Mr. Hockey- Gordie Howe. Very good all around. played into his 50s, and was an All star his last year in the league (among other times) at age 51.

He played alongside the second youngest ever to play (he was the youngest ever to play back then, starting at age 18) the young 19 year old who chose his number in honor of him- Wayne Gretzky.

Howe- Number 9. The greatest. Maurice Richard at his retirement (after being knocked out by Howe in one of Howe's first games) "Gordie could do anything"

Answer 4

Since I was not really around watching hockey when Bobby Orr or Bobby Hull... and definitely not when Maurice Richard played I can't say.

But in my lifetime, it is Mario Lemieux... He had size and speed and hands... I always thought he was even better than Gretzky. That might be blasphemy but that's my opinion and it also doesn't take away the greatness of Gretzky (both were great).

Answer 5

What about Guy Lafleur and Yvan Cournoyer,they made such an impact on their respected teams that they are in the hall of fame.Mark Messier cannot be counted out either,he was probably the best palymaker on any team he was with. He was one of the reasons the New York Rangers were so successful in winning the cup in 1994. And also,I think he was the glue that made the Edmonton oilers win all the championships in the 1980's.

Answer 6

Wayne Gretzky once identified the MVP of the Oiler's teams that he played and won cups with -- Mark Messier. Messier also lead the Oilers to two more Stanley Cups after Gretzky was traded, and one more with the Rangers. He could skate, score, defend, mix it up, and inspire. He ranks second in career scoring (passed Howe as well). He was so well respected throughout the league that he was payed handsomely even in his waning years - when he was no longer a playmaking and scoring force.

Answer 7

No player has meant more to his team durring his career than Steve Yzerman. A franchise was built on his back and he carried it out of the depths and into the promise land. Not flashy, not the biggest, not the fastest, but he was the ultimate player that every general manager dreams about drafting (i think that makes him the greatest of all time). His skills were so balanced and his humble personality and leadership were something we may never see again in a pro athlete.

Answer 8

Steve Yzerman. He was a great scorer ( had 50 goals 5 times in six years including two 60+ goal seasons. and 155 points.) but he has also won the selke and three Cups. He was the greatest captain/leader in league history and he played through so much pain. Steve Yzerman will have my vote for a long time.

Answer 9

Mr Hockey, Gordie Howe. I wouldn't argue against Bobby Orr though.

Answer 10

Hands down, MARIO LEMIEUX!!!

- 1st goal on 1st shot of 1st shift of 1st game.
- Insane points streak ended only because of injury.
- Delivered a Stanley Cup with a BROKEN wrist.

And even if you want to look at points, could you only imagine how much higher he'd be on the list if he was healthy the whole time?!?!